Ex-national stars believe in kindness

SkyWorld Development Group corporate communications executive Daniel Chng (second from right) receiving the DaretoCare bags from former national swimmer Khoo Cai Lin (left), former national shuttler Roslin Hashim (second from left) and former national squash player and TV personality Sharon Wee.

PETALING JAYA: Giving back to society is one way for former national shuttler Roslin Hashim to show his appreciation to the millions of Malaysians who cheered him on as he fought to win in the badminton court.

“Malaysians supported us back when we were competing, and now, it’s my turn to offer all the help and support that I can,” said the shuttler on assisting orphanages and old folks’ homes.

“I believe we should help the less fortunate because they need us. Who else to help them if not us?” he said, commending the effort by the Star Media Group and SkyWorld Development Group on the #DaretoCare campaign.

Being avid bikers, friends from his club will organise monthly outings and at the same time embark on charity initiatives at the different destinations they visit.

“It is a perfect combination for me because I love riding and I get to do charity work,” he said.

Also showing support for the campaign is former national squash player and TV personality Sharon Wee, who pointed out that the initiative aligns with her way of life.

With her motto of “pay it forward”, she strongly believes in the importance of helping one another.

She has been very much involved in charity work since young with her parents.

“In my journey in life, family members, relatives, teammates and even strangers have helped me in so many ways and that has opened up my heart and mind to give back,” she said.

Wee is currently attached to a few charity homes. She makes time to visit the children there every month, gives contributions and stays in touch with them via email.

“I understand what it is like to need someone’s support and help, since I was away from home before. In life, you can’t go through it alone; you need a team,” Wee said.

Former national swimmer Khoo Cai Lin urged Malaysians to extend a helping hand and donate much-needed essential items to orphanages and old folks’ homes.

“Big or small contribution, it helps one way or another,” she said.

“I’ve always supported anything that has to do with charity because it not only helps ease the burden of those in need but also puts a smile on their faces. To see it is true joy.”

The temple that Khoo goes to owns an orphanage, old folks’ home and a home for single mothers and their babies, so she tries to donate as much as she can.

#DaretoCare is a joint charity initiative championed by the Star Media Group and SkyWorld Development Group to address the needs of welfare homes in Malaysia.

The campaign encourages the public to give and help the less fortunate by filling gifts or donations of essential items in special brown paper bags.

The filled bags can be dropped off at SkyWorld’s property galleries in Sentul, Setiawangsa, Bukit Jalil and Setapak, or at Menara Star, after which from now until Feb 15, the developer will collect and distribute the items to selected welfare homes.